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Optical realizations of PT symmetry rely on the fact that absorption and amplification are related by time-reversal symmetry. I discuss how microreversibility-breaking quantum noise turns such systems into self-sustained sources of radiation [1], and also describe two universal routes to spontanous symmetry breaking in chaotic coupled resonators [2]. [1] Quantum noise and self-sustained radiation of PT-symmetric systems H. Schomerus, Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 233601 (2010), arXiv:1001.0539 [quant-ph]. [2] Universal routes to spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking in non-hermitian quantum systems H. Schomerus, Phys Rev A Rapid Communication (in press), arXiv:1011.1385 |
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